Quality Suites Lyon 7 Lodge ★★★★

Lyon, France. Its past life as a rustic silk-weaving workshop shines through the narrow streets of the Old Town, whilst today it’s known as the gastronomic capital of France, serving up a menu of delicious, fresh food in vibrant fusion styles. Experimental, colourful – this is the Lyon of today, layered with the sweetness and charm so typical of a vintage French town that’s making fast headway into the present day.

Situated close to the city centre – reachable by tram and metro – the Quality Lyon 7 proffers a selections of suites, ideal for those wanting to dig a little deeper into the city and explore it as a local would. My room had everything my flat back home had: kitchen area, bathroom, desk and dining table, but it was accented with sleek French contemporary design, all smooth whites, curvy light-wood furniture, and airy spaces – things my flat a home definitely didn’t have. Styled for comfort and elegance, the suite slightly resembled a well-packaged box of up-market chocolates – the kind with etches of silver and swirly calligraphy. Brown curtains hung from the large windows, whilst crisp greens and yellows flanked the beds, towels, and soft furnishings.

It was a pleasure to set my bags down there; a pleasure that was further enhanced by the Quality Lyon 7’s excellent location in Lyon’s 7th arrondissement. The constantly changing neighbourhood is known for the Halle Tony Garnier, a haunt that regularly hosts trade shows, concerts and high-end performances. It’s close to the Rhone, too, whose banks provide the perfect place for a stroll, a bike ride, or good old-fashioned people watching. And then there’s the recently renovated downtown area, brimming with design-led coffee shops, small art studios, and hundreds of welcoming restaurants featuring menus filled with things like pig’s feet, snails, and local sausages. The rich culture of Lyon is imbued in every street, from the modern downtown district to the sprawling, hodgepodge Old Town, and there’s no shortage of museums, historical buildings, and ornate architecture to explore.

The best thing about the Quality Suites Lyon 7 Lodge, though, is its hybrid functionality. Combining the independent elements of an apartment – complete with self-sufficient facilities – and the luxurious services of a top-notch hotel, you can discover the city on your own terms without compromising the relaxation and security of a hotel. There’s a 24 hour reception and a well-equipped fitness centre on hand if you need it, or you can bask in the individual sanctuary of your own apartment, enjoying life as a Lyon local.

I wasn't expecting Amsterdam or Budapest, but I did find a city that combines elements of the two as well as boasting the elegant charm of a French town. Lyon is a special place, infused with a rich history as well as a lively contemporary scene, so it made perfect sense that I was staying in the classy Quality Lyon 7 – perfect for exploring the UNESCO World Heritage streets and then coming back and enjoying the modern-day narrative of Lyon with modern design and an independent lifestyle.